(Malta). The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of St. John Bosco Community of Sliema, on the island of Malta, located in the Mediterranean south of the Italian coast and belonging to the Southern Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel (IMR), share the Salesian educational mission.
On the occasion of the Solemnity of Pentecost, at the initiative of the Archdiocese of Malta, the animator, Sr. Diaz María de los Angeles (Spain), and two FMA, Sr. Mimosa Paluca (Albania) and Sr. Luigina Silvestrin (Italy) share their testimony on Consecrated Life, on the Catholic faith, and the experience of the Holy Spirit in their life.
Recalling her youth and the difficulties she faced in life, she learned that the Holy Spirit is the inner strength that the Father gives her to live the events of the day with faith. “Community life is essential for living one’s vocation. We live our mission for young people together as a community. It is an opportunity to grow spiritually and in a family atmosphere, where we can feel happy and share happiness with the people we meet ”(Sister Luigina).
Sister María Angeles, who comes from Spain, told of having come to Malta to spread the charism of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco and to find new answers to the needs of the Maltese Church. The commitment is to discover where and how the Salesian charism can be brought to the young people of Malta, educating and evangelizing with the heart of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. The Holy Spirit is the infinite potential of God’s love that constantly creates love and arouses hope and daring in them.
Sister Mimoza from Albania shared what it means to live in an international community, with sisters she did not know before, from different countries, cultures, and experiences but happy together to look to the common mission “with young people and for young people in Malta, serving the Maltese church.”
The FMA of St. John Bosco Community of Sliema arrived on 3 September 2019 with the commitment to re-signify the FMA presence in the Maltese territory.
After a period of research and dialogue with civil and religious institutions, they started the Main Oratory in Birżebbuġa in the south of the island, a poor neighborhood, in collaboration and networking with local authorities and structures, the diocesan parish of St. Peter, San Benedittu School, and the Santa Giovanna Antida Foundation. From Tuesday to Thursday, the “Main socio-educational project” takes place, for children and young people who live in situations of social hardship and with consequent learning difficulties and/or school dropout. The Project includes educational activities for school support, games, and activities for human and spiritual growth.
The FMA of Sliema (Malta) collaborate in the animation of university ministry in the Higher Institutes and youth ministry of the Diocese of Malta. They collaborate with the Salesians of Don Bosco for the animation of the Salesian Youth Movement.
In Victoria – Gozo (Malta) Mary Help of Christians community animates the nursery school and coordinates the Primary School, collaborates in the parish for catechesis, and animates the oratory and the Union of Past Pupils.
Queridas hermanas que Dios las siga bendiciendo, que con su vida y testimonio sigan haciendo mucho bien a quienes encuentren. Un abrazo a Sor Liugina
La docilità all’azione dello Spirito e la piena disponibilità all’impegno carismatico renderanno feconda la vostra missione nel modo che solo il Signore Gesù sa. Auguri e preghiere!
Congratulations dear sisters for your courageous mission in Malta !May God bless and accompany you to carry forward our spirit and Charism in this land.
Congratulations.So great. Proud of you. Keep it up.
Ho goduto tanto ascoltare la vostra testimonianza. Sono certa che il Signore la renderà feconda di frutti copiosi di bene per tanta gioventù.
Thank you Sisters for your beautiful testimony. May the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of our charism sustain you in your labor of love.